Crucible support



Dec. 31, 1940. R, D YORK 2,226,650

CRUCIBLE SUPPORT Original Filed Dec. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Je 5a 76 gli 77 M a WML? Dec. 312, 1940. R. D. YORK CRUCIBLE SUPPORT 16, 193s 2 sheet-sheet 2 Original Filed Dec.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STAT CRUCIBLE SUPPORT Raymond D. York, University, Va., assigner to I Raymond York, astrustee Original application December 16,v 1938, SerialNof 246,236. Divided and this application August, 16,1939, Serial No. 290,460 l 14 claims. (c1. .2z-s2) This invention relates to cruciblesupports, and `Serial is a division of my Copending application No. 246,236, led December 16, 1938.

In my copending application referred to I have disclosed a Crucible support adapted for use particularly with heavy crucibles and Aprovided lwith means for supporting the Crucible for turning movement to a pouringposition, together with ,tilting structure to facilitate the pouring of the metal, the handle having means lfor preventing accidental dislodgement thereof during the pouring means for connecting a handle to `the operation. c

An important object of the present invention is to provide novel latching means for `supporting the Crucible and the tilting structure associated therewith in its normal verticalposition thus preventing accidental turning of Athe-crucible until the operator is ready to `pour metal therefrom.

A further object is to provide a Crucible supporting unit carrying `crucible tongs movable independently of the` unit to grip a crucibleand movable bodily with the unit to tilt the Crucible to a pouring position, and to lprovide a novel latching device for vholding the .crucible, .thelgripping tongs and the supporting unit in fixed normal vertical position until it is 'desired to pour metal from the crucible.

A further object is to 4provide a supporting structure which rotatably `Carries `the crucible `facilitate pouring of the metal from the ,crucble, and to provide a single latch mechanism between the Crucible supporting unit and-the mainsupporting supporting unit for tilting movement to structure to positively preient tilting ment of the Crucible, tongs and supporting unit until the operator is ready to pour metal from the Crucible.

A further `object is to provide a kCrucible supporting unit, a pair of Crucible engaging tong levers, and means for actu-ating said levers, all constructed and arranged 4with respect :to -ea'ch other to provide a single bodily `movable unit which is tiltable to pour metal from the cruCible, and to provide a single latch :device operable -for normally preventing tilting movement of vthe bodily movable structure.

Other 'objects and Aadvantages of the Vinvention will become apparent during `the :course of the following description.,

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In `this showing:

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1, i 5

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, parts beingshown in elevation and parts being broken away,

Figure 5 is a `sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1, and, w

Figure 6 Vis a detail perspective viewoi one of the Crucible-engaging jaw elements.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates a crucible supported by an article supporting unit indicated asawhole bythe numeral I I. This unit is rotatably carried by asupp'orting structure indicated as a wholeby the `:f lumeral `I2 for turning or tilting movement relative thereto in a manner to be described.

The supporting unit II comprises a vertical o member I3 and oppositely projecting integral parallel horizontal members 1,4 rlgidlyformed on the lower end thereof. Theen'ds of the horizontal members I4 are turned downwardly to provide depending pairs of spaced. vertical members ,25 IB.

A pair of arms I8 are respectively pivoted to the pairs of vertical members I6 by bolts 2,0, each arm I8 lying between the members of the associated pair I6 for a 4purpose to be described. 30 ACrucible gripping members 2| are carried by the 'lower ends of the arms I8 and are movable into or out of engagement with the Crucible I0 upon pivotal movement of the arms IB about the pivot bolts 20. The members 2l are detachably connected `to the Varms `Ill in a manner to be de- 35 scribed.

' A shaft 23 is providedto effect pivotal move- `men-t of the arms I8 and a lcnsequent movement of the `Cr-ucible gripping members 2| into or out of engagement with the Crucible iIU.` The verti- I calmemb'er I3 of the supporting unit Il provides a journal 24 for the shaft l23. Endwise movement of the shaft 23 relative to the vertical member I3 is prevented by collars 25 which are secured to the Shaft 2s by pins 21, the collars' 25 abutting 45 vertical faces of the member I3. "The respective ends A29 and 30 of the shaft A23 are threaded `in opposite direction-s to provide conventional lright han-d threads on `the end `29 and left hand threads on the end 30. `The shaft 23 is preferably squared 50 f .at both en'dsas at 31! in order that a wrench may beused at either end oi the shaftt'o rotate Trunnion 4cradles 33 are provided on Atherespec- .tive Vupper ends of 'the arms I8. Each `of `the 5 trunnion cradles 33 is provided with spaced pairs of vertical members 35 to receive trunnions 36. The trunnion-s are carried by sleeves 31 internally threaded for engagement with the threaded 5 portions ofthe shaft 23. Bolts 4I) extend through the members 35 transversely of the trunnions 36 to prevent disengagement thereof from the respective cradles 33 and 34.

By reason of the oppcsitely threaded ends 29 and 30 of the shaft 23 having engagement with the internally threaded sleeves 31, it will be apparent that rotation of the shaft 23 will cause pivotal movement of the members I8 about the bolts in a manner Which will effect simultanel5 ous movement of the crucible gripping members 2| into or out of engagement with the crucible I Il.

The gripping members 2| are frictionally engageable with the sides of the crucible I0 and have their gripping surfaces shaped to conform 20 to the shape of the crucible. Each of the gripping members 2| is removably secured to the lower end of one of the members I8 in order that various sizes of the gripping members may be used according to the crucible to be supported 25 thereby. Each of the gripping members 2| is provided with aV pair of lugs 4I spaced from each other a distance approximately equal to the thickness of each of the members I8. Abutments 42 are formed on the lower ends of the members I8 and for the purpose of providing a key fit of the lugs 4I with the abutments 42, it will be noted that the contacting faces of these elements slope inwardly and upwardly as at 43 toward the article to be engaged. Openings 44 are formed in the members I8' to receive Wedges 45 which are driven into engagement With the upper edges rof the lugs 4I lto securely hold the lower edges thereof in' engagement with the abutments 42.V The mechanism for detachably 40 securing the gripping members to their supporting members isillustrated and described in my copending application Serial No. 232,005, filed September 21,V 1938.

Means are preferably provided to properly position the members 2| With respect to the side of the crucible. To this end, an adjustable positioning plate 46is provided Which may be brought into contact with the top 41 of the crucible. Pairs of fingers 48 are formed on the plate 50 46 and are spaced to provide elongated slots 49.

'Ihe fingers 48 are positioned and slidable between the members I4 in order that the plate 46 and the top of the crucible 41 will be properly positioned relative to the supporting unit II according to the size of the crucible to be supported. To secure the plate 46 to the arms I4, bolts 50 are provided which pass through the slots 49. The bolts 50 are provided with enlarged rectangular heads 5I which frictionally engage the fingers 48 as lat 52. Openings are provided in one of the arms I4 corresponding to the shape of the heads 5I to prevent turning movement of the bolts 50 relative to the members I4. Nuts 53 are provided for the purposeof securely clamping 565 the fingers 48 and plate 46 in any desired position according to the size of the crucible to be used. The mechanism for positioning the gripping members relative to the top 41 of the crucible I8 is described in my above mentioned copending 10 application.

In order' that the crucible III after its removal fromv a furnace may be tilted to pour molten metal therefrom, it is desirable to connect the .supporting unit I I for turning movement relav75 tive to the supporting structure I2. To this end,

a trunnion 54 is preferably formed integral with each pair of vertical members I6. The trunnions 54 are provided With circumferential grooves 55 which provide circular trackways for the lower looped ends of substantially U-shaped 5 members 56 connecting the crucible supporting unit II to the supporting structure I2 in a manner to be described.

The supporting'structure I2 comprises a horizontal member 58 provided with an eye 59 which 10 may be connected to a hook 66 of any suitable lifting apparatus. The members 56 are formed from metal rods which are doubled back on themselves and are suspended from the horizontal member 56 kby nuts 6I. Lock nuts 62 are pro- 15 vided to prevent upward movement of the members 56 relative to the horizontal member 58. By doubling the rods 56 back on each other, the ends of each rod, which are connected to the horizontal member 58, are parallel to and spaced 20 from each other and the mid-portions 63 are formed in the shape of a semi-circle for sliding engagement With the groove 55. Spacing members 65 are connected between the parallel portions of each of the members 56 immediately 25 above the trunnions 54 to prevent any spreading motion of the parallel portions of the members 56l adjacent the trunnions 54 which would permit disengagement of vthe'semi-circular portions of the members 56 from the circular grooves 55. 30

It Will be seen `that the above described arrangement provides a pivotal support in the nature of a trunnion for the crucible supportingk unit II. However, it is desirable that the crucible supporting unit II may be rotated relative 35 to the supporting structure I2 with a minimum of effort and, accordingly, the horizontal axis 66 of the trunnions 54 about which the turning movement takes place is preferably located adjacent the center of gravity of the supporting 40 unit II and the crucible I Il supported thereby. Moreover, it is desirable that the unit II and the crucible I0 normally occupy a vertical position relative to the supporting structure I2 and, accordingly, the horizontal axis 66 is preferably 45 located slightly above the center of gravity of the unit II and the crucible I 0 supported thereby.

A handle 61 is provided to enable an operator to tilt the crucible for the purpose of pouring molten metal therefrom. The handle 61 has a 60 cylindrical opening 68 formed in one end thereof for engagement with a member 69 projecting from the vertical member I3 of the supporting unit I I. The member 69 is secured to the vertical member I3 by anyfsuitable means such as the riv- 55 ets 10, y

A collar 1I is formed on the end of the handle 61 and is engageable with a. detent 12 to prevent disengagement of the lever 61 from the member 69 during that time in which the crucible 60 I0 is tilted to pour metal therefrom. 'Ihe detent v12 is pivotally connected to the vertical member I3 by a pivot pin 13 and is provided With a counterweight 14 which will maintain the point 12 of the detent 12 in constant engagement with 65 the handle 61. Any disengaging movement of the lever 61 from its support 69 Will operate to jamb the collar 1I against the point 12' of the detent 12, and to remove the lever 61 it will first be necessary to raise the counterweight 14 and 70 thereby allow the collar 1I to clear the point 12 on the detent 12. It will be apparent that this arrangement will securely prevent disengagement of the lever 61 from the member 69.

During the removal of the crucible I9 from 75 -a'gfurnaca it :is .desirable :to provide aneans `for 4:retaining the :unit I I in `a .substantially Vrvertical position relativeto 'the .supporting structure ;.I.2. .Tozthis end,an ,abutment 15`is preferably :formed integral .withthe `horizontal member 58 'for athe :purpose of preventing turning'movement ofthe unit iIzI 4toithe right, as fviewed in Figure 1.4, atall times. Agravity actuated .pawl 116 isalso connected to :the horizontal `member L58 for-:normally 'preventing turning .movementf'of the unit I.I in ,'theropposite direction. 'Ihe paw] 16 is mounted y.on :the horizontal member 58 by a yplate 11 `which permits sliding lmovement of the'pavvl 16 .relative vfpawl or llatch 16, the upper surface 80 of the `member |13 `is inclined to providea `cam surface .as showninYFigurei. Thefbottomedge 8| ofthe pawl `16 has `a similar inclinationo-ris rounded 'to securea `camming actionwhich will causethe -pawl 16 to `automatically ride up the surface 80 vupon :return'of the unit II to its normal vertical position. It will lbeapparent that-.the latch 16 `will droptolock the unit II inlits'normal vertical position as soon as such position is reached.

`flheroperation of the apparatus is las follows: The plate 46 is adjusted in vorder that the .gripping'members 2| will be properly positioned `relative to the sides ofthe crucible. parts of the apparatusare in lnormal positi0n,the

When Athe latch 16 will be operative to prevent turning vmovement of the-Crucible supportingunit I I relativeto the supporting-structure I2.

The mechanism may be lowered-by the hook `until the plate "46'contacts `the upper edge 41 of thecrucible 16. The mechanism will then`be in `a position for the gripping members 2I to properlyengage the sides of the crucible I6. 'This is accomplished by applying a wrench to either end "3l of the shaft 23 and rotating this shaft to cause 4movement of theitrunnions 36 away from each other. Such movement of thetrunnions 36 lwill 7impart a similar movement to the cradles 33 on the respective upper ends of the-pivotally mounted members I 8 `whereby the crucible gripping members 2I on-the respective lower vends of the members I8 will be moved into engagement-,with

the Acrucible I0. In such position the apparatus yis operable to `furnish a support by vwhich the Crucible can `-be transported.

vWhen -it is desired-to tilt the Crucible-for the lpurpose of pouring molten metal therefrom, the operator -will-slip'the open end 6B of `the handle I 61 downwardly over the projecting member 59 secured to the supporting unit I I. It will be apparent that prior to such application of the han- "dle S61 to the member-69, the point '12 0n the `detent 12 `will have been in engagement with the member `6E). vUpon .downward movement of the :handle 61 relative to the member 69, "the collar l1I will "contact the -detent 12 andcam Ithesame outof engagement with the member 69. vAs-soon `as the collar `TI passes'the point 12' onthe detent 12, the counterweight '14 `will cause a pivotal movement ofthe -detent 12 intoengagement with `the vhandle 61-atva point above lthe collar 1I. In this position, vit will be apparent that'the detent F12-:will bepperable to lprevent accidental disenrgagementorthe lever ..51tfrom the member 69.

Before a turning kor tilting movementcan be .imparted-to lthe cruciblesupporting unit II relative `to the supporting structure I2, it will be ynecessary for the operator to raise the handle 18 and Elatch 16. After releasing thelatch 16 from Iengagement with the Cruciblev supporting unit I I, y"the latter `and the vCrucible-supported thereby may berotated lto a positionsuch as thatshown in dotted lines in Figure 4 for the purpose of pouring molten metal.

,It obviously is desirable ,that the operator exert ,a force at right angles to the handle 61 to tilt the cruoible, and if this operation is carefully performed, there is no `danger that the handle willbecome detached. Carelessness in handling an apparatus of this characteris frequent, however, and in order to prevent injury to an operator or other nearby workman, the present construction provides 'means for positively preventing ac- .cidental vdetachmenttof thehandle 61 from the projection 69. Regardlessof any endwise pull on the f'handle T69, the engagement of the flange v'II 'with s the. det'ents12'will positively prevent detachment of thefhandle, and accordingly the crucible :cannot vswing back .to its normal position except under the controluof theoperator. Thus the `apparatus provides means for preventing serious andpainful injuries to operators. Such mechanism forms the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 246,236 referred to above.

After apouring operationhas been completed, theoperator may reduce the pull on the handle 61 to permit the parts to swing back to their normal position. As such position is approached, the cam Vface 82| will engage yand lift the latch 1.6, and Awhen the :vertical member I3 reaches its normal position, the latch 16 will drop to operative .position andthe entire crucible supporting kunit VII will be prevented from swinging. The

handle may be readily detached, when desired, by manually lifting the counterweight 14 to move 4thedetent 12 away :from the flange 1I, whereupon :the fhandlemaybe :moved endwise-to disconnect .it 'from vthe projection `69.

`Attention is invited `to the :fact that the supporting junit 'I;=|, `the levers "I8 `and their Crucible engaging .'.jaws,v Iand *the shaft 123form a bodily `movable structure adapted to turn on the axis .of .the trunnions 54. The connection of the upper ends ofthe levers 'I3 to the shaft 23 and the 'journaling of the fsha'ft 23xin the upstandiner member :t3 lasl :well as the fixing of the shaft Z3 :against axial movement by the collars 25, and

the arrangement vof the levers I8 between the pair of elem-entsrof reach depending arrn structure I6 effectively ties-the various elements of the bodily movable structure together, thus preventing any relative movement of these parts, as is highly 'desirable lin the pouring of metal from relatively rheavycrucibles Moreover, the effective anchoriing of the elements together renders it wholly `practicableto :employ the single latching element k16 to prevent bodily movement of the rocking structure until .the operator is ready to pour metal from the lCrucible. Accordingly the parts are effectively `fixed against relative movement, except 'for the operation of the shaft 23 to move the jaws 2| during the lowering of the mecha- `nism into 1thefurnace, `during the lifting of the `crucible from the furnace and the transporting Aof -the cruciblerto-the point where the metal :is to be'poured. `Theiupstandingmember I3 is a rela- 'tivelyheavyrigid unit `which carries both the .U-

shaped structure comprising the elements |`4 and I6 and the shaft 23, and it is necessary merely to project the upstanding member a suicient distance upwardlyl to be engaged by thelatch 76. This latch, and the stop element 'l5 (Figure 4l both are carried by the transverse supporting arm 58. Thus this transverse arm is utilized to carry the eye 69 by means of which the mechanism is lifted to carry the depending supporting rods 56, and to carry the latch 16 and stop element 15.

It will be apparent that the apparatus herein illustrated and described furnishes a convenient means for supporting a crucible. By having the crucible supporting mechanism rotatably mounted with respect to a supporting structure, a convenient means for pouring molten metal from the crucible is provided. In additiolnthe locking mechanism is eiective to prevent any uncontrolled movement of the crucible supporting unit relative to the supporting structure.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit, a mechanism carried thereby and movable into engagement with an article to be supported thereby, a supporting structure for said unit, said unit being connected to said supporting structure for turning movement relative thereto whereby turning movement of the article relative to said supporting structure will be effected, said unit and said structure having interengaging portions normally positively preventing turning movement of said unit in one direction from its normal position, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said unit in the other direction.

2. A device of the character described `comprising a supporting unit, a plurality of crucible gripping members carried by said unit, mechanism for moving said members into engagement with the crucible to be supported thereby, a supporting structure for said unit, means connecting said unit to said supporting structure for turning movement relative thereto whereby turning movement of the crucible relative to said supporting structure will be eiected to permit pouring of molten metal from the crucible, said unit and said structure having interengaging portions normally positively preventing turning movement of said unit in one direction from its normal position, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said unit in the other direction.

3. A device of the character described comprising an article supporting unit, a supporting structure for said unit, means .connecting said unit to said structure for turning movement relative thereto, said unit and said structure having interengaging portions normally positively preventing turning movement of said unit in one direction from its normal position, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said unit in the other direction.

4. A device of the character described comprising an article supporting unit, a supporting structure for said unit, means connecting said unit to said structure for turning movement relative thereto, said unit and said structure having `interengaging portions -normally .positively preventing turning movement of said unit in one direction from its normal position, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said unit in the other direction comprising latching mechanism interengageable with portions of said supporting unit and said supporting structure.

5. A device of the character described comprising a normally vertical article supporting unit engageable with an article to support it in a vertical position, a supporting structure for said unit, means connecting said unit to said structure for turning movement about a horizontal axis relative to said structure, said unit and said structure having interengaging portions normally positively preventing turning movement of said unit in one direction from its normal position, and locking mechanism for preventing movement of said supporting unit in the other direction from its normal vertical position, said locking mechanism being releasable to permit turning movement of said supporting unit.

6. A device of the character described comprising a normally vertical article supporting unit engageable with an article to support it in a vertical position, a supporting structure for said unit, means connecting said unit to said structure for turning movement about a horizontal axis relative to said structure, said horizontal axis passing adjacent the center of gravity of said supporting unit and the article supported thereby, and locking mechanism for preventing movement of said supporting unit in the other direction from its normal vertical position, said locking mechanism being releasable to permit turning movement of said supporting unit.

7. A device of the character described comprising a normally vertical article supporting unit engageable with an article to support it in a vertical position, a supporting structure for said unit, means connecting said unit to said structure for turning movement about a `horizontal axis relative to said structure, means for positively preventing relative turning movement of said unit in one direction, and locking mechanism for preventing relative turning movement of said unit from its normal vertical position in the opposite direction, said locking mechanism being releasable to permit relative turning movement of said unit in said opposite direction.

8. A device of the character described comprising a normally vertical article supporting unit, a supporting structure for said unit, means connecting said unit to said structure for turning movement about a horizontal axis relative to said structure, a member rigid with respect to said supporting structure for preventing relative turning movement of said unit in one direction, and a gravity actuated pawl secured to said supporting structure and engageable with a portion of said unit for preventing relative turning movement thereof in the other direction from its normal vertical position.

9. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit and a supporting structure, said unit comprising a substantially inverted U-shaped frame, an arm pivoted to the lower end of each arm of said frame, means for effecting relative movement of the lower ends'y of said pivoted arms toward and away from each other, and an article engaging member carried by the lower end of each pivoted arm, said supporting structure comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped supporting elements, trunnions carried by the lower ends of the arms of said frame and rotatable in the looped lower ends of said supporting elements, and releasable latch means connected between said unit and said structure for preventing turning movement of the former on the axis of said trunnions.

10. A device of the character described comprising a mechanism having members movable into engagement with an article to be supported thereby, a supporting unit carrying said mechanism, a supporting structure, means for connecting said supporting unit to said supporting Structure for turning movement on a horizontal axis, said unit having an upstanding member centrally thereof movable into proximity to the central portion of said supporting structure, and latch means cooperating between such central portion of said structure and said upstanding member for normally latching said unit against said turning movement.

11. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising a horizontal member, a pair of spaced depending arms and a central upstanding member, levers pivotally connected to said arms and having article engaging elements at their lower ends, means for operating said levers to bring said elements into engagement with an article, a supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting said unit to said supporting structure for turning movement on a horizontal axis, and means cooperating between said supporting structure and said upstanding member to normally prevent such turning movement.

12. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising a horizontal member, a pair of spaced depending arms and a central upstanding member, levers pivotally connected to said arms and having article engaging elements at their lower ends, a screw shaft rotatably supported by said upstanding member and having threaded end portions connected to said levers to effect movement thereof to engage said elements with an article, a supporting structure, means for pivotally connecting said unit to said supporting structure for turning movement on a horizontal axis, and means cooperating between said supporting structure and said upstanding member to normally prevent such turning movement. y g

13. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising a horizontal Y 4normal position, extending into proximity with the horizontal member of said supporting structure and engageable with a portion thereof to prevent turning movement of said unit in one direction, and a single latch means connected between the horizontal arm of said supporting structure and the upper end of said upstanding member to normally prevent turning movement of said unit in the other direction.

14. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising a horizontal member, a pair of spaced depending arms and a central upstanding member, levers pivotally connected to said arms and having article engaging elements at their lower ends, a screw shaft rotatably supported by said upstanding member and having threaded end portions connected to said levers to effect movement thereof to engage said elements with an article, a supporting structure of substantially inverted U-shape including a horizontal upper member and depending arms, means for pivotally connecting said unit to the lower end portions of said last named arms for turning movement on a horizontal axis, the upper end of said upstanding member, when in normal position, extending into proximity with the horizontal member of said supporting structure and engageable with a portion thereof to prevent `turning movement of said unit in oneI direction, and a single latch means connected between the horizontal arm of said supporting structure and the upper end of said upstandingl member to normally prevent turning movement of said unit in the other direction.

RAYMOND D. YORK. 

